Minneapolis radio hosts Baker and Perry are "convinced" that Magic Johnson "faked AIDS"

[JackBeck]

Summary: On The Chris Baker Show, Minneapolis radio host Langdon Perry stated, "I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS," to which host Baker replied, "Yeah, me too." Perry then called Johnson "the only cured AIDS guy ever."

On the October 8 broadcast of Minneapolis' The Chris Baker Show, KTLK hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry agreed that "Magic faked AIDS," referring to former basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who announced in 1991 that he had tested HIV-positive.

During the program, a caller stated: "What you run into is -- you run into this idea, the same way that in education we want to make all the dumb people smart even though it's impossible -- their IQ limits them -- and we're going to spend all this money to try to do something that's impossible. And you -- it's a waste of time, and you get frustrated employees, frustrated workers with all these demands to do something they can't possibly do." Perry replied: "What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?" Baker interjected, "like Magic Johnson," to which Perry replied, "Like Magic with his faked AIDS." After Baker asked, "You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?" Perry stated, "I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS." Baker replied, "Yeah, me too." Perry added: "It falls apart when you get into motivation. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure he faked AIDS. ... Cause he's the only cured AIDS guy ever."

From the October 8 broadcast of KTLK's The Chris Baker Show:

CALLER: What you run into is -- you run into this idea, the same way that in education we want to make all the dumb people smart even though it's impossible -- their IQ limits them -- and we're going to spend all this money to try to do something that's impossible. And you -- it's a waste of time, and you get frustrated employees, frustrated workers with all these demands to do something they can't possibly do.

BAKER: There you go. All right, thanks.

PERRY: What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?

BAKER: Like Magic Johnson.

PERRY: Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS.

BAKER: You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?

PERRY: I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS.

BAKER: Yeah, me too.

PERRY: It falls apart --

BAKER: Which is horrible.

PERRY: -- when you get into motivation. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure he faked AIDS.

BAKER: I've got a great email here from --

PERRY: 'Cause he's the only cured AIDS guy ever.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200810080020?f=h_latest

This is beyond irresponsible to suggest, and rather dangerous for radio hosts to spread such things. We already have to work overtime to convince community members that Magic doesn't have access to drugs that they don't because of his financial status, let alone a cure. I wish there was a way to punish radio personalities for spreading false information.

[terrya]

1. That's reprehensible.

That is absolutely vile.

[JackBeck]

8. I just completed implementing a 4-day Community Educator training in the Bronx.

I'm completely spent and this is the first thing I found after logging on when I got home this evening.

If I completely lose my shit, please forgive me in advance.

[terrya]

11. No...you have every right to be pissed.

No need to forgive you, my friend.

We're not anywhere near a cure for AIDS right now. This truly evil crap needs to be dealt with. These two assholes should be fired for this. In my perfect world, the station would be fined by the FCC as well.

[XemaSab]

2. .

:banghead:

[JackBeck]

17. Over 25 years after the first reported case of HIV/AIDS

and I still have to answer questions about whether or not HIV is airborne, if you can get the virus from shaking hands or from a toilet seat.

Our own government still sends out educational materials stating that sweat can transmit HIV (to which, when pressed, former Senator Frist could not definitively answer if this fluid is a mode of transmission).

These are but a few examples of why it is dangerous what these shock jocks just broadcast.

[XemaSab]

18. With misinformation like that

you may as well just call it "cooties" and declare that you get it from girls. :banghead:

[NightWatcher]

3. I guess they missed that South Park where Magic's "cure is revealed

:sarcasm:

what a bunch of ignorant boobs. damn them to oblivion and a job at McD's

[JackBeck]

24. I'd rather not know the details.

I saw your post before the edit. And I'm glad you did.

[av8rdave]

4. Perhaps they would be willing to accept a blood transfusion from him to prove their point

[Bluebear]

6. Perfect. Although they wouldn't want "black blood", you know.

Unbelieveable.

[shadowknows69]

9. ...

:thumbsup:

[JackBeck]

23. You should call in tomorrow for their reaction.

Or email, which ever you're more comfortable with.

:thumbsup:

[av8rdave]

28. I'll be flying tomorrow...but would be happy to e-mail. I'll see if I can find an address

[av8rdave]

29. I just sent an e-mail...

Dear Chris:

I just read a transcript of your October 8th broadcast in which you accused Ervin "Magic" Johnson of "faking AIDS." While explaining the difference between HIV and AIDS is beyond the scope of a single e-mail, I feel your accusation merits a response.

Perhaps the best way of proving your accusation is to volunteer for a blood transfusion from Mr. Johnson. What better way to show your listeners confidence in your accusation, and what better way to prove your point when you subsequently test negative for HIV!

Please let me know when you accept the "HIV challenge," so I might be able to keep up with the events!

Thanks in advance,

//s//

[JackBeck]

31. Bravo!

:headbang: :applause:

[Bluebear]

5. These people are truly some other species from us. I'm convinced.

[shadowknows69]

12. I hope so, problem is there seems to be more of them

So maybe we're the mutation, but mutation can be the cornerstone of positive evolution.

[Kerrytravelers]

7. I'm getting real tired of stupid and irresponsible being what makes people tune in.

If these kinds of antics didn't bring in the listeners, they wouldn't pull nonsense like this. To me, and I might be overstretching just a bit here, but I am of the mind that the fact that these guys pull stuff like this to increase their listenership shows that the intelligence of the average radio listener isn't that high. To think this is funny and that these are two people that you'd want to listen to in reagards to what they think is funny and what they think about things, to me, indicates that one may not be that bright, thoughtful or deep of a person.

Kind of harsh, but I'm tired of the Bush-world mentality.

[MrScorpio]

10. These guys don't know the diff between an HIV infection and AIDS

They're fucking idiots

[JackBeck]

13. Many people don't.

But these guys bring to the table a whole new level of idiocy.

[av8rdave]

19. Hate to sound "elitist," but anyone who still doesn't know the difference has been

in a sealed room for the past couple of decades.

I'm one of the lucky ones who have no personal connection to HIV/AIDS, and I am well aware of the difference, as well as how it is and isn't transmitted. And I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier. All the more reason I fail to understand these idiots!

[JackBeck]

21. The traditional media has done a great disservice to those who are infected and work in the communit...

The irresponsible overuse of the word "AIDS" plays into the stigma and fear of those that don't know the difference. For instance, many people think you can get AIDS from another person.

[Bluebear]

26. Especially with the sensationalistic branding of the virus as "the AIDS virus"

HIV is never mentioned in most news casts. The better writers will at least say "the virus that causes AIDS", but I notice most of them go right to the dramatic "AIDS virus" nomenclature.

[av8rdave]

27. Point well made

I was trying to point out that the information is there for anyone who wants to bother to find out. Obviously, many don't, and many more don't think it's their problem.

I suppose the media wants to settle for the quick soundbite, and "AIDS" is a scarier sounding word. Sad.

[Franzia]

14. Hmmm...so Baker surfaces in Minneapolis.

Is this the same Chris Baker who was disappeared from 950 AM in Houston?

My condolences to the citizens of Minneapolis.

[JackBeck]

16. Care to elaborate?

This is my initial introduction to this douchebag.

[Franzia]

30. Sorry for the delay...I had to leave home for work immediately after I posted

(I'm working graveyards).

Baker is a right-wing gasbag blowhard who was one of two local RW poo-spewers on 950 AM here in Houston (the other being Pat Gray, the odious Glen Beck's erstwhile sidekick).

The rest of the shows were the usual syndicated crap(Rush, Hannity, Savage Weiner, et. al.).

He was on the air for several years until 950 reformatted, dumping him and Pat Gray for the marginally less assholish Walton and Johnson and a local RW hack named Michael (dingle) Berry.

[KamaAina]

20. Busted!

http://www.tundrapolitics.com/2008/02/07/chris-baker-to-replace-langdon-perry-on-ktlk

Famous Texas talk show host, Chris Baker, will be joining the lineup at KTLK FM News Talk 100.3 starting on Monday.

Chris has been an outspoken and eloquent talk show host in Houston. He sounds like a terrific guy who will do great in Minnesota.

This is the second time Baker's douchebaggery has surfaced here at DU this week!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4185823&mesg_id=4185823

On the October 6 broadcast of his Minneapolis radio show, Chris Baker said that Sen. Barack Obama has "got his panties in a wad" because of Gov. Sarah Palin's recent assertion that Obama was "palling around" with former Weather Underground member William Ayers. Baker said: "his little bitch needs to stand up for himself. Sorry, I can't stand this. You want to be the president of the United States, and you won't even stand up to a smoking-hot chick from Alaska? How is he gonna stand up to the world's terrorists?" Baker continued: "I mean, this -- this guy -- this guy is -- he's a -- he's a wimp is what he is."

Baker went on to read from an Associated Press analysis of Palin's comments, saying: "The Associated Press says, quote, 'There's another subtext for creating the false image of a black presidential nominee palling around with terrorists while assuming a predominantly white audience that he doesn't see their America' because, according to the AP, 'many terrorists are dark-skinned Muslims.' " Baker added: "So, obviously, by her mentioning he hangs with terrorists, it's obviously racist. I mean that -- this is getting crazy. This wuss-bag needs to stand up for himself and answer the questions about his relationship with Bill Ayers and other terrorists and terrorist sympathizers."...

During the segment, Baker referred to Obama as "Obammy," as he has done in the past.

"Obammy"?! :grr: :banghead:

Where is Top 10 Conservative Idiots when we need it? This mook should be fitted for one of those KKK/Confederate flag icons forthwith!

[live love laugh]

15. Like the RepubliScum who believe Autism is fake and Gay is a choice and there's no global warming. n

[JackBeck]

25. The dissemination of misinformation is most dangerous for those that can't think freely.

And have issues with grasping reality and facts.

John Dean nailed it when he said these types need authoritarian daddy figures to tell them how to think and what to do.

[bluestateguy]

22. I have a friend who has been HIV positive for 17 years

He takes the drugs and his very healthy, but he is not "cured".

[JackBeck]

32. Update: Magic responds

Washington, DC - Today, in response to an item from Media Matters for America documenting KTLK radio hosts Chris Baker and Langdon Perry agreeing that "Magic faked AIDS," former basketball star and philanthropist Earvin "Magic" Johnson denounced the comments as callous and insensitive to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

"I am extremely disappointed in KTLK in Minneapolis. I am outraged that Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue. Millions are dying from HIV/AIDS and the fact that they would make jokes about my status is unbelievable," Johnson said. "Chris, Langdon and KTLK should use their power in a more positive light by encouraging people to get tested for this disease instead of making up such ridiculous lies."

During the October 8 broadcast of KTLK's The Chris Baker Show, Perry asked: "What about diseases that are eminently treatable and you can live with for a long, long time quite healthily if you just get some basic drugs?" Baker interjected, "like Magic Johnson," to which Perry replied, "Like Magic with his faked AIDS." After Baker asked, "You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?" Perry stated, "I'm convinced that Magic faked AIDS." Baker replied, "Yeah, me too." Perry added: "It falls apart when you get into motivation. I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure he faked AIDS. ... Cause he's the only cured AIDS guy ever."

http://mediamatters.org/items/200810090019